Third Annual Digital Learning Day Set for Wednesday, February 5
Washington, DC (PRWEB) January 24, 2014 -- On Wednesday, February 5, tens of thousands of teachers and millions of students from all fifty states and the District of Columbia will come together to celebrate the third annual Digital Learning Day. Spearheaded by the Alliance for Excellent Education, Digital Learning Day recognizes innovative teaching and common-sense, effective applications of education technology that support teachers, improve learning, and help students achieve at their highest potential.
“In the two years since the Alliance’s inaugural Digital Learning Day, the many uses of technology to improve student learning outcomes in the nation’s schools have skyrocketed,” said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education. “Still, there are schools and classrooms where students are asked to check their devices at the door. Digital Learning Day was created to provide all educators—from those who are technology averse to the technology rock stars—with the support and guidance they need to feel comfortable using different types of technology to improve learning in their classrooms.”
On Digital Learning Day, thousands of state and local events will be held throughout the country, including the more than 400 local events that educators have added to the Digital Learning Day website. In conducting their events, educators will be tapping the interactive lesson plans and teaching toolkits available in several different subject areas, including English language arts, math, science, social studies, and more.
In addition, Digital Learning Day will include a national showcase event that will be broadcast live on the internet from the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. The showcase will be hosted by Judy Woodruff, coanchor and managing editor of the PBS NewsHour, and it will feature U.S. Representative George Miller, Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, Acting U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education James H. Shelton III, Wyoming State Senator Rich Crandall, and Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Lillian Lowery.
The national showcase will also feature educators and students from schools and school districts that are using technology to make a positive difference in student learning, including Talladega, Alabama; Beaverton, Oregon; Henry County, Georgia; Hillsborough, Florida; Albemarle County, Virginia; and West Windsor Township, New Jersey. Also highlighted will be key initiatives to bring broader adoption of technology into classrooms, including an urgent need to update the federal E-rate program, an immensely successful initiative that has connected 94 percent of schools to the internet, but as more teachers, students, and devices attempt to access a school’s network, it cannot meet the exploding demand for high-speed connections.
“The Library of Congress—a leader in the promotion of lifelong learning through its unparalleled collections and primary source materials—is pleased to welcome Digital Learning Day 2014. We look forward to contributing to a program that explores how technology makes accessible previously untapped resources and enriches the learning experience for all,” said Lee Ann Potter, director of educational outreach for the Library of Congress.
A new component of the national event this year will be a virtual conference built onto INXPO’s next-generation webcasting platform that will connect educators, parents, and students to live video, lesson plans, instructional videos and toolkits, and live chats with digital learning experts. Through this system, educators across the United States and internationally will be able to tune into the live simulcast, experience the digital lessons in action, and interact with leading digital learning practitioners on topics and polls through out the day. Educators, parents, students, members of the media, and others can sign up for the free virtual conference at https://vts.inxpo.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowKey=17940.
“The partnership with Alliance for Excellent Education is very special,” said Malcolm Lotzof, cofounder and chief executive officer of INXPO. “We are excited to work with their organization as well as members of their community and truly believe Digital Learning Day is a must-see event for the education industry across the country.”
“From simple beginnings at Mountainview Elementary School in West Virginia, Digital Learning Day has become a worldwide event for showcasing how technology can improve student outcomes and support teachers,” said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former governor of West Virginia. “I encourage everyone—educators, parents, students, and members of the media—to visit DigitalLearningDay.org or contact your local schools and school districts to see what they are doing to celebrate Digital Learning Day and learn how you can get involved.”
Visit DigitalLearningDay.org for additional information on Digital Learning Day, including local events, teacher toolkits, and more.
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The Alliance for Excellent Education is a Washington, DC–based national policy and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that all students, particularly those traditionally underserved, graduate from high school ready for success in college, work, and citizenship. http://www.all4ed.org
INXPO helps businesses communicate better with their customers, employees, partners, and prospects. In addition to delivering audio and video webcasts, the company complements these broadcasts with social tools that turn lackluster presentations into memorable experiences. INXPO has more than 3,000 successful online communications programs for global customers, including Autodesk, Cisco, Freeman, George P. Johnson, Hilton, HIMSS, P&G, PCMA, TechTarget, UBM, and the U.S. Department of State. http://www.inxpo.com
Jason Amos, Alliance for Excellent Education, http://www.all4ed.org, +1 (202) 828-0828, [email protected]
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